Bicycle-coupling.



No. 693,379. Patented Feb; 18, 19 02. 1

a. n. c. DAVIS.- BICYCLE COUPLING. {Application mm; Aug. 8; 1900. (No Model.)

d s a muumumlmllllllllII w W lllIlllllllmllnlmmm Witnesses v j Inventor By Attorhcy NiTED STAT S PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. C. DAVIS, OF MANCHESTER, NEWjI-IAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO JOHN OHAMPOUX, OE MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

BICYCLE-CCU PLING.

SFECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 693,379, dated February 18, 1902. Application filed August 8, 1900. Serial No. 26,230. (No model.)

T at whom it may concern.- Figure 1 is a broken elevation showing por- Beit known that I, GEORGE R. (IDAVIS, a tions of a pair of bicycles to which my ima citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Manproved coupling is attached. Fig. 2 is an enchester, in the county of Hillsboro and State larged detailed elevation of one of my im- 5 of New Hampshire, have invented certaih proved coupling-bars as when made in two new and useful Improvements in Bicyclesections, the clamps 0r couplings for attach- Couplings; and I do hereby declare the folmentto the bicycles being shown in dotted lowing to be a full, clear, and exact descriplines. Figs. 3 and 4 represent the couplings tion of the invention, such as will enable othor clamps in plan view, Fig. 5 being a detail IO ers skilled in the art to which it appertains in perspective.

to make and use the same. Similar reference-letters designate corre- This invention relates to devices for coupsponding parts in all the views. ling together two single bicycles. This, in a A B are bicycles, the head CL of the former broad sense, is not new, as various co'ntrivbeing connected to the perch bof the latter i5 ances have been arranged whereby two single by myimproved flexible coupling, the straight bicycles may be coupled together when disbar of which for convenience in packing or posed side by side. .carrying may be formed in two sections 0 O So-called bicycle-couplings, as far as I and its adjacent ends quickly and firmly am aware, have heretofore formedarigid conjoined together by means of a threaded plug 2o nection for two bicycles when placed side by c. To the outer ends of said sectional bar 7 side, .while my improved device forms a fiexiare rigidly attached short flexible extensions I ble connection fora pair of bicycles disposed D, formed of helically-bent wire, to the free one forward of the other, each requiring to end of each of which may be rigidly secured a be steered independently, but maintaining connection E, having aflat extension e, which 2 5 them practically equidistant one ahead of the must be either perforated or provided with a other, my improved coupling being only sufslot 6' for attaching the clamps F G, by which ficiently yieldinglongitudinally to avoid any the coupling-bar C is connected to the bicyunpleasant communication of sudden jars cles, the construction shown embracing the from one to the other, whereby their riders slot e being preferable on account of alford- 8o 3:: can more easily converse and obtain all the ing the more easy means for connection and advantages of a tandem bicycle, the object disconnection, or hooks d may be formed inof my invention being to provide a flexible tegral with the parts D, as in Figs. 1 and 2. connection for two bicycles in a simple eco- The clamps F Gare similar in construction, nomical manner and which shall be readily varying only in their length and the addition 3 5 detachable, whereby two riders maybe quite of a clamping-screw to that clamp which atnear together without any danger of colliding. taches to the forward bicycle, which requires The invention consists in a'flexible detachto be longer than the other, as it must reach able connection between the perch-tube of through the backstays for connection to the one bicycle and the head of the other while perch b. 9

40 said bicycles are running tandem. The clamp F comprises two steel plates,

In many instances a man and wife would which are bent at f and hinged together, so like a tandem bicycle, but own single wheels as to clasp a tube of a bicycle, and are proand cannot afford to purchase a tandem; but vided with ends f, projecting parallel and by the useof my invention they can connect perforated for the reception of aclamping- 5 4 5 their single bicycles one forwardof the other bolt, or the perforations of one plate may be and enjoy man y of the advantages of a tanthreaded and both plates be clamped together dem at slight expense, as will be fully set by a thumb-screw, as shown. The clamp G forthin the followingspecification and claims being'necessarily longer than the clamp F, and clearly illustrated in drawings accompathe thumb-screw g will be required in ad- 50 nying and forming a part of the same, of dition to the screws g which pass through which-- the flat parallel portions g, as shown best in Fig. 4, in order that the curved portions g may be made to tightly clasp the tubes of a bicycle.

In practice one pair of the flat ends f g of the clamps F G may be tightly clasped upon the flat extension 2 of one of the connections E by means of a screw f or 9 which passes through the slot 2 of said connections E, the slot being preferable to a perforation, for by the use of the former the screws f g have only to be loosened in order to withdraw the connections E from the clamps F G.

Suitable bushing H I, formed of felt or other soft material, may be secured to the inner surfaces of the bent portionsfg of the clamps F G and avoid defacing the tubes of a bicycle.

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. As a means of coupling two bicycles one forward of the other, a bar or tube provided at its ends with extensions formed of helically-bent spring-wire, suitable hooks rigidly attached or formed integral one at the free end of each helical extension, and bands adapted for attachment one to each bicycle and having each a socket to which the hooked end of either helical extension maybe firmly secured.

2. As a means of coupling two bicycles one forward of the other, a sectional bar or tube the adjacent ends of said sections being connected by a threaded plug, flexible extensions formed of helically-bent spring-wire and secured one to each outer end of said couplingbar, a suitable hook formed integral with or rigidly attached to the free end of each helical extension, and a metal band adapted for attachment to each bicycle and provided with a socket to which the hook of either helical extension may be firmly attached.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE R. (3. DAVIS.

\Vitnesses:

J. B. THURSTON, EMILE IT. 'llu'timvnn. 

